Reflector and illumination system

ABSTRACT

A light guide illumination system is provided for coupling light from an illumination source to a number of output &#34;light guides&#34;, which are used for a variety of purposes, such as illuminating pools, spas, hazardous material zones, jail cells, and other applications where direct lighting is dangerous, difficult to maintain, or subject to vandalism. The illumination system employs an illumination reflector which has been customized to maximize the efficiency of light transmission between the illumination source, such as an arc lamp, and the cores of the output light guides. A method of fabricating the customized illumination reflector includes mapping the radiation patterns of the particular illumination source to be utilized, creating a database of those radiation patterns, and utilizing the database to generate an optimal illumination reflector configuration. The computer-generated reflector will virtually always be a non-conic section, because the illumination source is not ideal.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.08/374,163 filed on Jan. 17, 1995 and entitled OPTICAL FIBER COUPLERUSING SEGMENTED LENSES, which issued into U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,911 onSep. 24, 1996; U.S. application Ser. No. 08/459,613 filed on Jun. 2,1995, now pending, and entitled MULTIPORT ILLUMINATOR FOR MACRO-FIBERS;and U.S. application Ser. No. 08/599,970 filed on Feb. 14, 1996, nowpending, and entitled OPTICAL COUPLER, all three of which are commonlyassigned and the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein byreference. This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No.08/645,324, filed on May 13, 1996, now pending, and entitled MULTIPORTILLUMINATOR OPTIC DESIGN FOR MACRO-FIBERS; U.S. application Ser. No.08/645,325, filed on May 13, 1996, now pending, and entitled MULTIPORTILLUMINATOR MECHANICAL DESIGN FOR MACRO-FIBERS; and U.S. applicationSer. No. 08/645,326, filed on May 13, 1996, now pending, and entitledREFLECTOR FOR ILLUMINATION SYSTEM, all three of which are commonlyassigned and the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Large diameter fiber optics, often referred to as "flexible lightguides", are well known in the art, and typically comprise a single,solid core light guide which is surrounded by a cladding layer and asheath or shielding layer. The core is the portion of a light guidewhich transmits light, and typically has a diameter of about 2 to 12 mm.It is formed of a very soft, semi-liquid plastic material, such asOPTIFLEX®, which is manufactured by Rohm & Haas Corporation, ofPhiladelphia, Pa. The cladding layer typically comprisespolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or TEFLON®), or the like, while the outersheath is fabricated of a material such as polyvinylchloride (PVC).Unlike small diameter optical fibers, which are typically used totransmit information in relatively complex control systems, these largediameter "light guides" are typically employed in a variety ofillumination systems where direct lighting is difficult to maintain,dangerous, or subject to vandalism. Examples include architecturallighting, display cases, pools and spas (to eliminate electricalconnections near water), hazardous material zones (to eliminate the needfor sealed lighting), or jail cells. They are particularly advantageousin that only a single centralized illumination system must bemaintained, rather than a plurality of individual lights.

One disadvantage of these prior art systems, however, is their use of anillumination reflector to transmit light between the source ofillumination and the output optical fiber or guide. These conventionalillumination reflectors are based upon classic conic sections; i.e.elliptical or parabolic reflectors. Such reflectors are best for "ideal"light sources; i.e. "point" sources, but for "real world" light sources,light transmission efficiency is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is an improvement over the prior art described above,because it employs an illumination reflector which has been customizedto maximize the efficiency of light transmission between theillumination source, such as an arc lamp, and the core of one or moreoutput light guides. A method of fabricating the customized illuminationreflector includes mapping the radiation patterns of the particularillumination source to be utilized, creating a database of thoseradiation patterns, and utilizing the database to generate an optimalillumination reflector configuration. The computer-generated reflectorwill virtually always be a non-conic section, because the illuminationsource is not ideal.

More particularly, an optical fiber illumination system for couplinglight from an illumination source to a number of output light guides isdisclosed. Each output light guide has a proximal end for receiving thelight, and the illumination system includes an illumination reflectorfor receiving illumination from the illumination source and redirectingthe illumination to the proximal end of each output light guide. Theillumination reflector is particularly designed to complement theillumination source with which it is paired, and therefore has acomputer-generated non-circular cross-section and is both non-ellipticaland non-parabolic.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of fabricating anillumination reflector for an illumination system is disclosed. Steps inthe method include mapping the radiation patterns of the illuminationsource, and creating a database of these radiation patterns. Then, thedatabase is used to generate an illumination reflector configurationwhich provides an optimal distribution and intensity of illumination ata proximal end of each output light guide.

The present invention, together with additional features and advantagesthereof, may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying illustrativedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of the present invention, illustrating anillumination source and an illumination reflector having acomputer-generated curvature;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1,particularly illustrating the illumination reflector fabricated inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the illumination system of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 4a-c are various views of the illumination source portion of theillumination system of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the computer-generated illuminationreflector of the presently preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate a source of illumination 12, comprising any conventionallight source, such as an arc lamp or the like, and an illuminationreflector 14, which reflects the light from the lamp to another opticalcomponent (not shown).

Turning to FIG. 3, a perspective view of the illumination system of thepresently preferred embodiment is illustrated. The illumination systemcomprises a light source portion 60 and a delivery portion 62. Theillumination system may be used for a variety of purposes, such asilluminating pools, spas, hazardous material zones, jail cells, andother applications where direct lighting is dangerous, difficult tomaintain, or subject to vandalism.

FIGS. 4a-4c illustrate the light source portion 60 of the illuminationsystem of the presently preferred embodiment coupled to the deliveryportion 62. FIG. 4a illustrates a side view of the illumination systemof the present invention, and FIG. 4b illustrates a bottom view of theillumination system of the present invention. A bulb 73 fits within asocket mount 75 and comprises an illuminating portion, which issurrounded by the illumination reflector 77 of the present invention.The illumination reflector 77 of the present invention directs lightfrom the bulb 73 through the mounting structure 78 and into the colorwheels 81. Motors 83 drive the color wheels 81, and the light from thebulb 73 enters into an elongate light guide after passing through thecolor wheels 81. The elongate light guide preferably comprises a mixingrod 85, but may alternatively comprise any other type of light guide. Anut 87 is used to secure the light guides 89 to the housing 91 of thelight source portion 60. The distal end of the illumination system,located opposite the optical fibers 89, comprises a power outlet 93 anda number of controls 95, as illustrated in FIG. 4c. FIG. 5 illustrates across-sectional view of the illumination reflector 77 of the presentlypreferred embodiment, which differs from conventional illuminationreflectors by having a computer-generated curvature, which maximizesreflections of light from the bulb 73 into the color wheels 81. Theillumination reflector 77 comprises a focal point 129, which isarbitrarily defined along the axis 131. The illumination reflector 77comprises two curved surfaces 133 and 135, which preferably terminate ata two degree draft angle defining the straight surfaces 137 and 139,respectively. The straight surfaces 137 and 139 facilitate manufacturingand assembly convenience, but are not required. The illuminationreflector 77 is preferably manufactured using a technique of nickeldeposition or spinning. The illumination reflector 77 is then coatedwith aluminum for enhanced reflectivity.

An important aspect of the invention, which substantially improves theefficiency of the inventive system, is the use of non-classical,non-conic sections in the design of the illumination reflector 14. Inthe prior art, in contrast, classical conic sections are typically usedin illumination reflector design, to create elliptical or parabolicreflectors. By way of background, classical conic sections are so-namedbecause they can be generated (and perhaps more importantly, visualized)by imagining the plane that would be exposed by slicing through acircular section cone. For example, if such a cone is sliced throughwith a cut that is exactly perpendicular to the long axis of the cone,the resulting exposed plane is a circle. This is the simplest example ofa conic section. Like the other conic sections, the circle can bedescribed algebraically, in this case by the expression:

    (x.sup.2 +y.sup.2).sup.1/2 =r                              (1)

wherein r is the radius of the circle, x is the x-coordinate value ofthe radius, and y is the y-coordinate value of the radius. In otherwords, the radius magnitude of the circle is always equal to the squareroot of the sum of the squares of its x-y coordinate values. Theproperties which this confers on the circle is that it has a singlefocal point equidistant from the focus of its circumference points, andthat focus is in the center. This characteristic can be quite useful inoptics.

If the slicing plane of the theoretical cone were to be tilted away fromthe perpendicular to the axis, other classical conic shapes aregenerated, not much more complex in mathematical description than thecircle, but with ever more intriguing properties. From the standpoint ofthe history of optical design, two of the most important are the ellipseand the parabola.

The ellipse is a closed oval, and can be imagined by looking at theshape the edge of a circular coin makes as it is progressively tiltedwith respect to the observer's line of sight. The ellipse has theproperties of having two focal points, or foci, both located along theline bisecting the ellipse's long axis (the circle is actually a specialcase of the ellipse, where the two foci are superimposed on one another,occupying the same point in space). The optical properties of an ellipseare such that any rays of light originating from exactly the point offocus on one side of the ellipse will be brought exactly to convergenceat the complementary focus location, irrespective of their direction oforigin.

Unlike the ellipse, the parabola has an open-figure shape. It isgenerated by slicing the cone along a line parallel to its long axis,all the way down to its base. The resulting shape has a vertex at thesmall end and an open mouth opposite. The parabola has but a singlefocus. Its optical properties are such that a ray of light leaving theexact point of focus and bouncing off the surface of a parabolicreflector will exit the open mouth going exactly parallel to the longaxis of the parabola, no matter where the ray strikes the reflector.Flashlight reflectors are often parabolic; by collimating the light(i.e. making all the rays travel parallel paths), the flashlight beamcan be directed where it is needed and deliver the most light to thearea of interest, instead of illuminating a large area dimly, as anon-directed bulb would do.

As a collector of light, the parabola has the ability to take collimatedlight directed toward it and concentrate that light at the focus point.This makes parabolic shapes useful for solar energy collectors.

The inventors have discovered, however, that the problem with usingclassical elliptical and parabolic reflectors, as contemplated in theprior art, is that, while the above analysis is done based upon idealassumptions; i.e. that the light source occupies a "point" in space inthe purest mathematical sense, in that it is dimensionless. If a lightsource used to illuminate an elliptical or parabolic reflector couldoccupy a dimensional space of zero, the easily-described, well-behaved"ideal" properties of these shapes would be realized. However such alight source is impossible in the physical world; a light source of zerodimension would, by definition, be infinitely bright. In the physicalworld, a light source is a very real, three dimensional object, whetherit is the tungsten filament of an incandescent lamp, the arc of an arclamp, or the glowing surface of a fluorescent lamp. Compared to thetheoretically ideal "point source", all of these emitters of light arenot only large, but generally of complex, and sometimes bizarre, shape.

What this means is that an "ideal" conic or parabolic reflector using a"real" light source not only does not conform to its theoreticallypredicted performance, but often diverges wildly from the expectedbehavior. In the prior art, this discrepancy between the theoretical andthe realized behavior of conic-shape-based reflectors is just a toughfact of life. No good analytical tools have existed to help understandit, and no design tools existed to help overcome it.

The inventive new non-traditional approach utilizes non-conic sections.The designer is freed from the artifice of employing classical,easily-described shapes whose real-world performance may be fatallycompromised, and given the freedom to use non-classical shapes,difficult to describe mathematically but amenable to analysis by theconsiderable number-crunching power of modern personal computers.

Thus, the inventive method for fabricating the reflector 14 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 begins with the mapping of the complex radiation pattersof the real lamp 12 to be utilized in the particular apparatus. In acustomized application, the lamp actually used in each individual devicemight actually be individually mapped. However, more typically, aparticular manufacturer's lamp, designed by model number, is mapped, andthe vagaries between individual lamps of a particular model or type oflamp, typically quite small, are ignored for the sake of manufacturingpracticality and reasonable cost.

In the presently preferred embodiment, a 375 watt bulb 73 is used. The375 watt bulb of the presently preferred embodiment is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,268,613, which is licensed to Sylvania and USHIO. Other bulbsmay be used, as long as the model or product number of the specific bulbis noted for easy future reference.

Mapping in this sense, means to generate a collection of spatialintensity distribution measurements at a constant radial distance fromthe lamp, and storing the data in a computer storage location. This isdone by moving a calibrated imaging detector array around the source inspherical coordinates until a detailed data file is obtained,point-by-point, of the lamp's specific radiation patterns. This detailedfile does not really care about the relative "idealness" of the source;rather, the file contains a description of the radiation patternsemitted by the source, which are, by definition, what the reflectorsurface will actually "see".

Once the mapping process is complete, computer software is used to playthe file containing the lamp's complex three-space emission patternagainst the surface of any arbitrarily-defined reflector surface,whether a classic conic section or not, whether round (a surface ofrotation) or not, whether comprised of smooth curves or an array ofdiscrete facts. A focal point is defined on the surface, and the lamp issimulated to be placed at the focal point. The results of playing thelamp's real radiation patterns against the real reflector surface yieldsa highly accurate prediction of exactly what the resulting radiationproduct will look like at any point in space. The prediction can includethe light intensity at any point, the rate of change of intensitybetween arbitrary points in the field, the angles of incidence of lightthrough a given point, and other relevant measurements. This analyticalpower affords the ability to tailor the lamp/reflector combination tobest satisfy the illumination requirements of the particularapplication, both in spatial intensity and angular distribution.

According to one specific implementation of the presently preferredembodiment, the above-mentioned 375 watt bulb is used in connection withthe above-described method to generate an illumination reflector 77having an optimized curvature. The dimensions of the curvature areexpressed below in z and y coordinates, where the y coordinates aremeasured along an axis 131 (FIG. 5) that extends perpendicularly to thebase of the illumination reflector 77 and through the bulb 73 (FIG. 4).The z coordinates are expressed in radial distances from the y axis. Thespecific coordinates for the illumination reflector 77 corresponding tothe 375 watt Phillips bulb are reproduced below:

    ______________________________________                                        -8.578028e-001      4.000000e-001                                             -8.564562e-001      4.048450e-001                                             -8.550922e-001      4.096916e-001                                             -8.537107e-001      4.145397e-001                                             -8.523117e-001      4.193893e-001                                             -8.508951e-001      4.242408e-001                                             -8.494609e-001      4.290938e-001                                             -8.480090e-001      4.339482e-001                                             -8.465393e-001      4.388045e-001                                             -8.450518e-001      4.436622e-001                                             -8.435464e-001      4.485217e-001                                             -8.420231e-001      4.533829e-001                                             -8.404818e-001      4.582459e-001                                             -8.389226e-001      4.631103e-001                                             -8.373452e-001      4.679767e-001                                             -8.357496e-001      4.728448e-001                                             -8.341358e-001      4.777145e-001                                             -8.325039e-001      4.825859e-001                                             -8.308535e-001      4.874594e-001                                             -8.291848e-001      4.923343e-001                                             -8.274976e-001      4.972111e-001                                             -8.257919e-001      5.020898e-001                                             -8.240677e-001      5.069702e-001                                             -8.223247e-001      5.118526e-001                                             -8.205631e-001      5.167366e-001                                             -8.187829e-001      5.216226e-001                                             -8.169837e-001      5.265102e-001                                             -8.151656e-001      5.313998e-001                                             -8.133286e-001      5.362914e-001                                             -8.114725e-001      5.411850e-001                                             -8.095973e-001      5.460802e-001                                             -8.077028e-001      5.509773e-001                                             -8.057892e-001      5.558766e-001                                             -8.038563e-001      5.607775e-001                                             -8.019039e-001      5.656805e-001                                             -7.999321e-001      5.705855e-001                                             -7.979406e-001      5.754923e-001                                             -7.959297e-001      5.804012e-001                                             -7.938990e-001      5.853119e-001                                             -7.918487e-001      5.902247e-001                                             -7.897784e-001      5.951397e-001                                             -7.876881e-001      6.000565e-001                                             -7.855780e-001      6.049752e-001                                             -7.834478e-001      6.098961e-001                                             -7.812973e-001      6.148189e-001                                             -7.791267e-001      6.197438e-001                                             -7.769356e-001      6.246705e-001                                             -7.747242e-001      6.295995e-001                                             -7.724923e-001      6.345303e-001                                             -7.702399e-001      6.394633e-001                                             -7.679667e-001      6.443984e-001                                             -7.656728e-001      6.493355e-001                                             -7.633581e-001      6.542745e-001                                             -7.610223e-001      6.592157e-001                                             -7.586657e-001      6.641589e-001                                             -7.562880e-001      6.691042e-001                                             -7.538891e-001      6.740518e-001                                             -7.514688e-001      6.790012e-001                                             -7.490273e-001      6.839527e-001                                             -7.465643e-001      6.889065e-001                                             -7.440798e-001      6.938622e-001                                             -7.415735e-001      6.988201e-001                                             -7.390455e-001      7.037799e-001                                             -7.364956e-001      7.087418e-001                                             -7.339239e-001      7.137057e-001                                             -7.313300e-001      7.186719e-001                                             -7.287140e-001      7.236401e-001                                             -7.260758e-001      7.286103e-001                                             -7.234153e-001      7.335827e-001                                             -7.207323e-001      7.385571e-001                                             -7.180267e-001      7.435335e-001                                             -7.152985e-001      7.485121e-001                                             -7.125477e-001      7.534928e-001                                             -7.097738e-001      7.584754e-001                                             -7.069770e-001      7.634603e-001                                             -7.041572e-001      7.684470e-001                                             -7.013142e-001      7.734359e-001                                             -6.984479e-001      7.784268e-001                                             -6.955581e-001      7.834198e-001                                             -6.926449e-001      7.884148e-001                                             -6.897081e-001      7.934119e-001                                             -6.867475e-001      7.984109e-001                                             -6.837630e-001      8.034120e-001                                             -6.807546e-001      8.084151e-001                                             -6.777222e-001      8.134201e-001                                             -6.746655e-001      8.184273e-001                                             -6.715845e-001      8.234363e-001                                             -6.684790e-001      8.284472e-001                                             -6.653489e-001      8.334602e-001                                             -6.621943e-001      8.384751e-001                                             -6.590148e-001      8.434920e-001                                             -6.558104e-001      8.485107e-001                                             -6.525808e-001      8.535314e-001                                             -6.493261e-001      8.585539e-001                                             -6.460462e-001      8.635783e-001                                             -6.427408e-001      8.686047e-001                                             -6.394098e-001      8.736329e-001                                             -6.360531e-001      8.786628e-001                                             -6.326706e-001      8.836946e-001                                             -6.292621e-001      8.887283e-001                                             -6.258276e-001      8.937636e-001                                             -6.223668e-001      8.988008e-001                                             -6.188796e-001      9.038396e-001                                             -6.153660e-001      9.088803e-001                                             -6.118258e-001      9.139226e-001                                             -6.082588e-001      9.189666e-001                                             -6.046648e-001      9.240124e-001                                             -6.010438e-001      9.290596e-001                                             -5.973957e-001      9.341085e-001                                             -5.937201e-001      9.391590e-001                                             -5.900171e-001      9.442111e-001                                             -5.862864e-001      9.492648e-001                                             -5.825280e-001      9.543200e-001                                             -5.787417e-001      9.593766e-001                                             -5.749273e-001      9.644347e-001                                             -5.710847e-001      9.694942e-001                                             -5.672137e-001      9.745551e-001                                             -5.633141e-001      9.796174e-001                                             -5.593859e-001      9.846811e-001                                             -5.554288e-001      9.897460e-001                                             -5.514428e-001      9.948212e-001                                             -5.474276e-001      9.998797e-001                                             -5.433831e-001      1.004948e+000                                             -5.393091e-001      1.010018e+000                                             -5.352054e-001      1.015089e+000                                             -5.310721e-001      1.020161e+000                                             -5.269087e-001      1.025234e+000                                             -5.227154e-001      1.030308e+000                                             -5.184916e-001      1.035383e+000                                             -5.142374e-001      1.040459e+000                                             -5.099525e-001      1.045536e+000                                             -5.056368e-001      1.050614e+000                                             -5.012902e-001      1.055693e+000                                             -4.969125e-001      1.060772e+000                                             -4.925034e-001      1.065852e+000                                             -4.880629e-001      1.070933e+000                                             -4.835908e-001      1.076014e+000                                             -4.790868e-001      1.081096e+000                                             -4.745507e-001      1.086178e+000                                             -4.699825e-001      1.091261e+000                                             -4.653819e-001      1.096344e+000                                             -4.607488e-001      1.101428e+000                                             -4.560829e-001      1.106512e+000                                             -4.513841e-001      1.111596e+000                                             -4.466521e-001      1.116681e+000                                             -4.418869e-001      1.121765e+000                                             -4.370881e-001      1.126850e+000                                             -4.322557e-001      1.131934e+000                                             -4.273894e-001      1.137019e+000                                             -4.224890e-001      1.142103e+000                                             -4.175543e-001      1.147187e+000                                             -4.125853e-001      1.152271e+000                                             -4.075815e-001      1.157355e+000                                             -4.025430e-001      1.162438e+000                                             -3.974693e-001      1.167520e+000                                             -3.923604e-001      1.172602e+000                                             -3.872160e-001      1.177684e+000                                             -3.820359e-001      1.182765e+000                                             -3.768200e-001      1.187845e+000                                             -3.715680e-001      1.192924e+000                                             -3.662798e-001      1.198002e+000                                             -3.609550e-001      1.203080e+000                                             -3.555934e-001      1.208156e+000                                             -3.501950e-001      1.213230e+000                                             -3.447595e-001      1.218304e+000                                             -3.392866e-001      1.223377e+000                                             -3.337762e-001      1.228447e+000                                             -3.300815e-001      1.231827e+600                                             -3.263700e-001      1.235206e+000                                             -3.226417e-001      1.238585e+000                                             -3.188964e-001      1.241962e+000                                             -3.151339e-001      1.245339e+000                                             -3.113543e-001      1.248714e+000                                             -3.075577e-001      1.252089e+000                                             -3.037436e-001      1.255464e+000                                             -2.999123e-001      1.258837e+000                                             -2.960637e-001      1.262209e+000                                             -2.921975e-001      1.265580e+000                                             -2.883138e-001      1.268950e+000                                             -2.844127e-001      1.272320e+000                                             -2.804937e-001      1.275688e+000                                             -2.765571e-001      1.279055e+000                                             -2.726027e-001      1.282421e+000                                             -2.686304e-001      1.285786e+000                                             -2.646402e-001      1.289149e+000                                             -2.606320e-001      1.292511e+000                                             -2.566057e-001      1.295872e+000                                             -2.525613e-001      1.299232e+000                                             -2.484987e-001      1.302590e+000                                             -2.444177e-001      1.305947e+000                                             -2.403184e-001      1.309303e+000                                             -2.362008e-001      1.312657e+000                                             -2.320646e-001      1.316009e+000                                             -2.279098e-001      1.319360e+000                                             -2.237365e-001      1.322710e+000                                             -2.195444e-001      1.326057e+000                                             -2.153334e-001      1.329404e+000                                             -2.111037e-001      1.332748e+000                                             -2.068551e-001      1.336091e+000                                             -2.025873e-001      1.339432e+000                                             -1.983006e-001      1.342771e+000                                             -1.939948e-001      1.346108e+000                                             -1.896695e-001      1.349444e+000                                             -1.853252e-001      1.352777e+000                                             -1.809614e-001      1.356109e+000                                             -1.765781e-001      1.359439e+000                                             -1.721754e-001      1.362766e+000                                             -1.677531e-001      1.366091e+000                                             -1.633109e-001      1.369415e+000                                             -1.588492e-001      1.372736e+000                                             -1.543677e-001      1.376054e+000                                             -1.498661e-001      1.379371e+000                                             -1.453446e-001      1.382685e+000                                             -1.408032e-001      1.385997e+000                                             -1.362416e-001      1.389306e+000                                             -1.316596e-001      1.392613e+000                                             -1.270575e-001      1.395917e+000                                             -1.224350e-001      1.399219e+000                                             -1.177920e-001      1.402518e+000                                             -1.131285e-001      1.405814e+000                                             -1.084445e-001      1.409108e+000                                             -1.037397e-001      1.412399e+000                                             -9.901421e-002      1.415687e+000                                             -9.426792e-002      1.418972e+000                                             -8.950055e-002      1.422254e+000                                             -8.471235e-002      1.425533e+000                                             -7.990309e-002      1.428810e+000                                             -7.507250e-002      1.432083e+000                                             -7.022085e-002      1.435353e+000                                             -6.534789e-002      1.438619e+000                                             -6.045336e-002      1.441883e+000                                             -5.553752e-002      1.445143e+000                                             -5.060014e-002      1.448399e+000                                             -4.564094e-002      1.451653e+000                                             -4.066020e-002      1.454902e+000                                             -3.565765e-002      1.458149e+000                                             -3.063305e-002      1.461391e+000                                             -2.558666e-002      1.464630e+000                                             -2.051822e-002      1.467865e+000                                             -1.542766e-002      1.471097e+000                                             -1.031470e-002      1.474324e+000                                             -5.179628e-003      1.477547e+000                                             -2.217694e-005      1.480767e+000                                              5.157912e-003      1.483982e+000                                              1.036037e-002      1.487193e+000                                              1.558545e-002      1.490400e+000                                              2.083343e-002      1.493603e+000                                              2.610402e-002      1.496801e+000                                              3.139749e-002      1.499995e+000                                              3.671410e-002      1.503185e+000                                              4.205358e-002      1.506370e+000                                              4.741620e-002      1.509550e+000                                              5.280222e-002      1.512726e+000                                              5.821135e-002      1.515897e+000                                              6.364386e-002      1.519063e+000                                              6.910004e-002      1.522224e+000                                              7.457959e-002      1.525380e+000                                              8.008279e-002      1.528531e+000                                              8.560989e-002      1.531677e+000                                              9.116063e-002      1.534818e+000                                              9.673527e-002      1.537953e+000                                              1.023339e-001      1.541083e+000                                              1.079568e-001      1.544208e+000                                              1.136036e-001      1.547327e+000                                              1.192747e-001      1.550440e+000                                              1.249703e-001      1.553548e+000                                              1.306901e-001      1.556650e+000                                              1.364345e-001      1.559746e+000                                              1.422036e-001      1.562836e+000                                              1.479972e-001      1.565920e+000                                              1.538156e-001      1.568998e+000                                              1.596590e-001      1.572070e+000                                              1.655271e-001      1.575136e+000                                              1.714203e-001      1.578195e+000                                              1.773387e-001      1.581247e+000                                              1.832822e-001      1.584293e+000                                              1.892510e-001      1.587333e+000                                              1.952453e-001      1.590365e+000                                              2.012649e-001      1.593391e+000                                              2.073100e-001      1.596410e+000                                              2.133809e-001      1.599422e+000                                              2.194774e-001      1.602426e+000                                              2.255996e-001      1.605424e+000                                              2.317477e-001      1.608413e+000                                              2.379220e-001      1.611396e+000                                              2.441222e-001      1.614371e+000                                              2.503486e-001      1.617339e+000                                              2.566013e-001      1.620298e+000                                              2.628802e-001      1.623250e+000                                              2.691855e-001      1.626194e+000                                              2.755175e-001      1.629130e+000                                              2.818758e-001      1.632058e+000                                              2.882609e-001      1.634977e+000                                              2.946729e-001      1.637888e+000                                              3.011115e-001      1.640791e+000                                              3.075771e-001      1.643685e+000                                              3.140698e-001      1.646571e+000                                              3.205895e-001      1.649447e+000                                              3.271363e-001      1.652315e+000                                              3.337106e-001      1.655173e+000                                              3.403121e-001      1.658023e+000                                              3.469410e-001      1.660863e+000                                              3.535976e-001      1.663694e+000                                              3.602817e-001      1.666515e+000                                              3.669933e-001      1.669327e+000                                              3.737331e-001      1.672129e+000                                              3.805004e-001      1.674921e+000                                              3.872957e-001      1.677703e+000                                              3.941190e-001      1.680475e+000                                              4.009706e-001      1.683236e+000                                              4.078503e-001      1.685988e+000                                              4.147581e-001      1.688729e+000                                              4.216946e-001      1.691459e+000                                              4.286593e-001      1.694178e+000                                              4.356525e-001      1.696887e+000                                              4.426745e-061      1.699585e+000                                              4.497250e-001      1.702271e+000                                              4.568043e-001      1.704946e+000                                              4.639126e-001      1.707610e+000                                              4.710496e-001      1.710262e+000                                              4.782156e-001      1.712902e+000                                              4.854110e-001      1.715531e+000                                              4.926352e-001      1.718148e+000                                              4.998888e-001      1.720752e+000                                              5.071718e-001      1.723344e+000                                              5.144840e-001      1.725924e+000                                              5.218257e-001      1.728492e+000                                              5.291972e-001      1.731046e+000                                              5.365980e-001      1.733588e+000                                              5.440285e-001      1.736116e+000                                              5.514888e-001      1.738632e+000                                              5.589792e-001      1.741134e+000                                              5.664993e-001      1.743623e+000                                              5.740494e-001      1.746098e+000                                              5.816298e-001      1.748559e+000                                              5.892400e-001      1.751006e+000                                              5.968804e-001      1.753440e+000                                              6.045514e-001      1.755859e+000                                              6.122525e-001      1.758263e+000                                              6.199840e-001      1.760653e+000                                              6.277462e-001      1.763029e+000                                              6.355388e-001      1.765389e+000                                              6.433620e-001      1.767734e+000                                              6.512161e-001      1.770064e+000                                              6.591006e-001      1.772378e+000                                              6.670160e-001      1.774677e+000                                              6.749624e-001      1.776960e+000                                              6.829396e-001      1.779227e+000                                              6.909478e-001      1.781479e+000                                              6.989872e-001      1.783713e+000                                              7.070576e-001      1.785931e+000                                              7.151592e-001      1.788133e+000                                              7.232920e-001      1.790318e+000                                              7.314563e-001      1.792486e+000                                              7.396517e-001      1.794636e+000                                              7.478784e-001      1.796769e+000                                              7.561370e-001      1.798885e+000                                              7.644268e-001      1.800982e+000                                              7.727481e-001      1.803062e+000                                              7.811013e-001      1.805123e+000                                              7.894859e-001      1.807166e+000                                              7.979023e-001      1.809191e+000                                              8.063506e-001      1.811197e+000                                              8.148305e-001      1.813184e+000                                              8.233423e-001      1.815152e+000                                              8.318862e-001      1.817100e+000                                              8.404614e-001      1.819029e+000                                              8.490692e-001      1.820938e+000                                              8.577090e-001      1.822827e+000                                              8.663803e-001      1.824695e+000                                              8.750843e-001      1.826544e+000                                              8.838204e-001      1.828372e+000                                              8.925881e-001      1.830179e+000                                              9.013885e-001      1.831965e+000                                              9.102212e-001      1.833730e+000                                              9.190854e-001      1.835473e+000                                              9.279826e-001      1.837194e+000                                              9.369121e-001      1.838894e+000                                              9.458733e-001      1.840571e+000                                              9.548675e-001      1.842226e+000                                              9.638941e-001      1.843859e+000                                              9.729524e-001      1.845469e+000                                              9.820437e-001      1.847055e+000                                              9.911675e-001      1.848619e+000                                              1.000323e+000      1.850159e+000                                              1.009512e+000      1.851675e+000                                              1.018733e+000      1.853167e+000                                              1.027986e+000      1.854635e+000                                              1.037272e+000      1.856078e+000                                              1.046590e+000      1.857497e+000                                              1.055941e+000      1.858891e+000                                              1.065324e+000      1.860259e+000                                              1.074740e+000      1.861602e+000                                              1.084188e+000      1.862920e+000                                              1.093669e+000      1.864211e+000                                              1.103182e+000      1.865477e+000                                              1.112727e+000      1.866715e+000                                              1.122305e+000      1.867928e+000                                              1.131916e+000      1.869113e+000                                              1.141558e+000      1.870271e+000                                              1.151234e+000      1.871401e+000                                              1.160941e+000      1.872504e+000                                              1.170681e+000      1.873579e+000                                              1.180454e+000      1.874626e+000                                              1.190258e+000      1.875644e+000                                              1.200095e+000      1.876633e+000                                              1.209964e+000      1.877594e+000                                              1.219865e+000      1.878525e+000                                              1.229798e+000      1.879426e+000                                              1.239764e+000      1.880298e+000                                              1.244758e+000      1.880722e+000                                              1.249761e+000      1.881139e+000                                              1.254772e+000      1.881548e+000                                              1.259790e+000      1.881950e+000                                              1.264817e+000      1.882344e+000                                              1.269852e+000      1.882730e+000                                              1.274894e+000      1.883109e+000                                              1.279945e+000      1.883479e+000                                              1.285004e+000      1.883842e+000                                              1.290070e+000      1.884197e+000                                              1.295144e+000      1.884544e+000                                              1.300227e+000      1.884884e+000                                              1.305317e+000      1.885215e+000                                              1.310415e+000      1.885538e+000                                              1.315522e+000      1.885854e+000                                              1.320636e+000      1.886161e+000                                              1.325758e+000      1.886460e+000.                                            ______________________________________                                    

Looking at the z and y coordinates reproduced above, the first number ineach pair of coordinates is the z axis coordinate with zero at the focalpoint. The second number is the y axis coordinate. The first number inthe above list, for example, comprises a y value of 0.4 resulting in a0.8 inch diameter hole at the base of the illumination reflector 77. Thefinal y value in the above list is nearly 2 inches resulting in adiameter of the illumination reflector 77 of nearly 4 inches. The focalpoint 129 of the illumination reflector 77 corresponds to the point-2.217694e-005, 1.480767e+000 in the above list of coordinates. Thecomputer-generated curvature of the illumination reflector 77 of thepresently preferred embodiment is capable of generating improvements inluminous flux over conventional illumination reflectors.

Referring again particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 14denotes an exemplary non-conic illumination reflector which might begenerated using the method described above. Reference numeral 14adenotes, in contrast, a classic conic illumination reflector, having acircular cross section (FIG. 2) which might be used in the prior art.The deviation of the shape of reflector 14 from a surface of revolutionof a classic conic section has been exaggerated for illustrativepurposes.

Another advantage of the non-conic illumination reflector 14 designedand fabricated in accordance with the principles of this invention isthe ability to utilize higher intensity light at the light guide endface without burning the light guide ends. Optical beams do notnaturally have a uniform intensity distribution across the beam.Imperfections in optical systems can produce peaks and othernonuniformities. Even in ideal systems the intensity distribution willtend toward a Gaussian distribution. A Gaussian beam has a peakeddistribution described by

    I=e.sup.-x                                                 (2)

where I is the intensity of the beam and x is the distance from thecenter of the beam. Lasers are naturally Gaussian. Other light beamswill approach Gaussian as they are diffracted in an optical system.

The existence of intensity peaks when light is launched into a lightguide can result in light guide burning. This in turn limits the maximumpower that can be safely launched into a light guide. For example, whena beam of light is directed onto the end of a bundle of light guides thecenter light guide(s) tend to burn because intensity of the light ispeaked near the center.

The non-conic illumination reflector shapes generated by the inventivemethods not only compensate for the shape of the lamp but also produce amore uniform intensity distribution at the light guide end face. Thispermits the safe use of higher intensity levels without burning thelight guide ends.

It should be noted that this technique for mapping the radiationpatterns of a light source, and developing a database from which areflector may be designed for an illumination system, is not limited tolight guide optic applications. It is also useful for other types ofillumination applications, such as projection systems, for example.Furthermore, the database which is developed from the mapping processmay be used to fabricate customized lenses as well as reflectors, ifdesired.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, many changes, modifications and substitutions may be made byone having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing fromthe spirit and scope of this invention.

We claim:
 1. An illumination system, comprising:an illumination source;at least one color wheel adapted for receiving light from theillumination source; and an illumination reflector having acomputer-generated reflecting surface, the illumination reflectorcomprising a non-circular cross-section and being non-elliptical andnon-parabolic, and the illumination reflector being adapted forreceiving illumination from the illumination source and redirecting theillumination to the at least one color wheel.
 2. The illumination systemas recited in claim 1, the illumination source comprising a 375 wattlamp.
 3. The illumination system as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising a mixing rod adapted for receiving light from the at leastone color wheel, and the computer generated reflecting surfaceincreasing a luminous flux of the illumination system.
 4. Theillumination system as recited in claim 3, further comprising at leastone light guide adapted for receiving light from the mixing rod.
 5. Theillumination system as recited in claim 4, the at least one light guidecomprising a bundle of light guides.
 6. The illumination system asrecited in claim 1, the illumination reflector comprising nickel.
 7. Theillumination system as recited in claim 5, the illumination reflectorbeing manufactured by at least one of nickel forming and spinning. 8.The illumination system as recited in claim 1, the computer-generatedreflecting surface comprising a curved surface.
 9. An illuminationsystem, comprising:an illumination source; at least one color wheeladapted for receiving light from the illumination source; an elongatelight guide adapted for receiving light from the color wheel; and anillumination reflector having a computer-generated curve, theillumination reflector having a non-circular cross-section and beingnon-elliptical and non-parabolic, the illumination reflector beingadapted for receiving illumination from the illumination source andredirecting the illumination to the at least one color wheel.
 10. Theillumination system as recited in claim 9, the elongate light guidecomprising a mixing rod, and the illumination reflector being adaptedfor redirecting substantially a maximum amount of the illumination tothe at least one color wheel.
 11. The illumination system as recited inclaim 10, further comprising at least one light guide adapted forreceiving light from the mixing rod.
 12. An illumination reflectoradapted for use in an illumination system, the illumination systemhaving an illumination source and at least one color wheel adapted forreceiving light from the illumination source, the illumination reflectorcomprising:a non-circular cross-section; and a computer-generatedreflecting surface adapted for maximizing reflections of radiationpatterns of the illumination source into the at least one color wheel,the computer-generated reflecting surface comprising a non-circularcross-section and being non-elliptical and non-parabolic, and thecomputer-generated reflecting surface being based on both measuredradiation patterns of the illumination source and computer simulationsof different reflecting surfaces for maximizing the reflections of theradiation patterns into the at least one color wheel.
 13. Theillumination reflector as recited in claim 12, further being adapted forreceiving illumination from the illumination source and redirecting theillumination to the at least one color wheel.
 14. The illuminationreflector as recited in claim 12, further comprising a mixing rodadapted for receiving light from the at least one color wheel.
 15. Theillumination system as recited in claim 14, the computer-generatedreflecting surface increasing a luminous flux of the illuminationsystem.
 16. The illumination system as recited in claim 15, furthercomprising at least one of a light guide and a bundle of light guidesadapted for receiving light from the mixing rod.
 17. The illuminationsystem as recited in claim 12, the illumination source comprising a 375Watt bulb.
 18. An illumination reflector adapted for maximizingreflections from an illumination source onto at least one color wheel,the illumination reflector having a computer-generated reflectingsurface, which comprises a non-circular cross-section and which isnon-elliptical and non-parabolic, the illumination reflector beingexpressible in z and y coordinates, the y-coordinates being measuredalong an axis that extends perpendicularly to a portion of thecomputer-generated reflecting surface and through the illuminationsource, and the z-coordinates expressing radial distances from the yaxis, the z and y coordinates of the computer-generated reflectingsurface comprising the following specific z and y values, respectively,with a plus or minus twenty percent tolerance for each specific value:

    ______________________________________                                        -8.578028e-001      4.000000e-001                                             -8.564562e-001      4.048450e-001                                             -8.550922e-001      4.096916e-001                                             -8.537107e-001      4.145397e-001                                             -8.523117e-001      4.193893e-001                                             -8.508951e-001      4.242408e-001                                             -8.494609e-001      4.290938e-001                                             -8.480090e-001      4.339482e-001                                             -8.465393e-001      4.388045e-001                                             -8.450518e-001      4.436622e-001                                             -8.435464e-001      4.485217e-001                                             -8.420231e-001      4.533829e-001                                             -8.404818e-001      4.582459e-001                                             -8.389226e-001      4.631103e-001                                             -8.373452e-001      4.679767e-001                                             -8.357496e-001      4.728448e-001                                             -8.341358e-001      4.777145e-001                                             -8.325039e-001      4.825859e-001                                             -8.308535e-001      4.874594e-001                                             -8.291848e-001      4.923343e-001                                             -8.274976e-001      4.972111e-001                                             -8.257919e-001      5.020898e-001                                             -8.240677e-001      5.069702e-001                                             -8.223247e-001      5.118526e-001                                             -8.205631e-001      5.167366e-001                                             -8.187829e-001      5.216226e-001                                             -8.169837e-001      5.265102e-001                                             -8.151656e-001      5.313998e-001                                             -8.133286e-001      5.362914e-001                                             -8.114725e-001      5.411850e-001                                             -8.095973e-001      5.460802e-001                                             -8.077028e-001      5.509773e-001                                             -8.057892e-001      5.558766e-001                                             -8.038563e-001      5.607775e-001                                             -8.019039e-001      5.656805e-001                                             -7.999321e-001      5.705855e-001                                             -7.979406e-001      5.754923e-001                                             -7.959297e-001      5.804012e-001                                             -7.938990e-001      5.853119e-001                                             -7.918487e-001      5.902247e-001                                             -7.897784e-001      5.951397e-001                                             -7.876881e-001      6.000565e-001                                             -7.855780e-001      6.049752e-001                                             -7.834478e-001      6.098961e-001                                             -7.812973e-001      6.148189e-001                                             -7.791267e-001      6.197438e-001                                             -7.769356e-001      6.246705e-001                                             -7.747242e-001      6.295995e-001                                             -7.724923e-001      6.345303e-001                                             -7.702399e-001      6.394633e-001                                             -7.679667e-001      6.443984e-001                                             -7.656728e-001      6.493355e-001                                             -7.633581e-001      6.542745e-001                                             -7.610223e-001      6.592157e-001                                             -7.586657e-001      6.641589e-001                                             -7.562880e-001      6.691042e-001                                             -7.538891e-001      6.740518e-001                                             -7.514688e-001      6.790012e-001                                             -7.490273e-001      6.839527e-001                                             -7.465643e-001      6.889065e-001                                             -7.440798e-001      6.938622e-001                                             -7.415735e-001      6.988201e-001                                             -7.390455e-001      7.037799e-001                                             -7.364956e-001      7.087418e-001                                             -7.339239e-001      7.137057e-001                                             -7.313300e-001      7.186719e-001                                             -7.287140e-001      7.236401e-001                                             -7.260758e-001      7.286103e-001                                             -7.234153e-001      7.335827e-001                                             -7.207323e-001      7.385571e-001                                             -7.180267e-001      7.435335e-001                                             -7.152985e-001      7.485121e-001                                             -7.125477e-001      7.534928e-001                                             -7.097738e-001      7.584754e-001                                             -7.069770e-001      7.634603e-001                                             -7.041572e-001      7.684470e-001                                             -7.013142e-001      7.734359e-001                                             -6.984479e-001      7.784268e-001                                             -6.955581e-001      7.834198e-001                                             -6.926449e-001      7.884148e-001                                             -6.897081e-001      7.934119e-001                                             -6.867475e-001      7.984109e-001                                             -6.837630e-001      8.034120e-001                                             -6.807546e-001      8.084151e-001                                             -6.777222e-001      8.134201e-001                                             -6.746655e-001      8.184273e-001                                             -6.715845e-001      8.234363e-001                                             -6.684790e-001      8.284472e-001                                             -6.653489e-001      8.334602e-001                                             -6.621943e-001      8.384751e-001                                             -6.590148e-001      8.434920e-001                                             -6.558104e-001      8.485107e-001                                             -6.525808e-001      8.535314e-001                                             -6.493261e-001      8.585539e-001                                             -6.460462e-001      8.635783e-001                                             -6.427408e-001      8.686047e-001                                             -6.394098e-001      8.736329e-001                                             -6.360531e-001      8.786628e-001                                             -6.326706e-001      9.836946e-001                                             -6.292621e-001      8.887283e-001                                             -6.258276e-001      8.937636e-001                                             -6.223668e-001      8.988008e-001                                             -6.188796e-001      9.038396e-001                                             -6.153660e-001      9.088803e-001                                             -6.118258e-001      9.139226e-001                                             -6.082588e-001      9.189666e-001                                             -6.046648e-001      9.240124e-001                                             -6.010438e-001      9.290596e-001                                             -5.973957e-001      9.341085e-001                                             -5.937201e-001      9.391590e-001                                             -5.900171e-001      9.442111e-001                                             -5.862864e-001      9.492648e-001                                             -5.825280e-001      9.543200e-001                                             -5.787417e-001      9.593766e-001                                             -5.749273e-001      9.644347e-001                                             -5.710847e-001      9.694942e-001                                             -5.672137e-001      9.745551e-001                                             -5.633141e-001      9.796174e-001                                             -5.593859e-001      9.846811e-001                                             -5.554288e-001      9.897460e-001                                             -5.514428e-001      9.948121e-001                                             -5.474276e-001      9.998797e-001                                             -5.433831e-001      1.004948e+000                                             -5.393091e-001      1.010018e+000                                             -5.352054e-001      1.015089e+000                                             -5.310721e-001      1.020161e+000                                             -5.269087e-001      1.025234e+000                                             -5.227154e-001      1.030308e+000                                             -5.184916e-001      1.035383e+000                                             -5.142374e-001      1.040459e+000                                             -5.099525e-001      1.045536e+000                                             -5.056368e-001      1.050614e+000                                             -5.012902e-001      1.055693e+000                                             -4.969125e-001      1.060772e+000                                             -4.925034e-001      1.065852e+000                                             -4.880629e-001      1.070933e+000                                             -4.835908e-001      1.076014e+000                                             -4.790868e-001      1.081096e+000                                             -4.745507e-001      1.086178e+000                                             -4.699825e-001      1.091261e+000                                             -4.653819e-001      1.096344e+000                                             -4.607488e-001      1.101428e+000                                             -4.560829e-001      1.106512e+000                                             -4.513841e-001      1.111596e+000                                             -4.466521e-001      1.116681e+000                                             -4.418869e-001      1.121765e+000                                             -4.370881e-001      1.126850e+000                                             -4.322557e-001      1.131934e+000                                             -4.273894e-001      1.137019e+000                                             -4.224890e-001      1.142103e+000                                             -4.175543e-001      1.147187e+000                                             -4.125853e-001      1.152271e+000                                             -4.075815e-001      1.157355e+000                                             -4.025430e-001      1.162438e+000                                             -3.974693e-001      1.167520e+000                                             -3.923604e-001      1.172602e+000                                             -3.872160e-001      1.177684e+000                                             -3.820359e-001      1.182765e+000                                             -3.768200e-001      1.187845e+000                                             -3.715680e-001      1.192924e+000                                             -3.662798e-001      1.198002e+000                                             -3.609550e-001      1.203080e+000                                             -3.555934e-001      1.208156e+000                                             -3.501950e-001      1.213230e+000                                             -3.447595e-001      1.218304e+000                                             -3.392866e-001      1.223377e+000                                             -3.337762e-001      1.228447e+000                                             -3.300815e-001      1.231827e+000                                             -3.263700e-001      1.235206e+000                                             -3.226417e-001      1.238585e+000                                             -3.188964e-001      1.241962e+000                                             -3.151339e-001      1.245339e+000                                             -3.113543e-001      1.248714e+000                                             -3.075577e-001      1.252089e+000                                             -3.037436e-001      1.255464e+000                                             -2.999123e-001      1.258837e+000                                             -2.960637e-001      1.262209e+000                                             -2.921975e-001      1.265580e+000                                             -2.883138e-001      1.268950e+000                                             -2.844127e-001      1.272320e+000                                             -2.804937e-001      1.275688e+000                                             -2.765571e-001      1.279055e+000                                             -2.726027e-001      1.282421e+000                                             -2.686304e-001      1.285786e+000                                             -2.646402e-001      1.289149e+000                                             -2.606320e-001      1.292511e+000                                             -2.566057e-001      1.295872e+000                                             -2.525613e-001      1.299232e+000                                             -2.484987e-001      1.302590e+000                                             -2.444177e-001      1.305947e+000                                             -2.403184e-001      1.309303e+000                                             -2.362008e-001      1.312657e+000                                             -2.320646e-001      1.316009e+000                                             -2.279098e-001      1.319360e+000                                             -2.237365e-001      1.322710e+000                                             -2.195444e-001      1.326057e+000                                             -2.153334e-001      1.329404e+000                                             -2.111037e-001      1.332748e+000                                             -2.068551e-001      1.336091e+000                                             -2.025873e-001      1.339432e+000                                             -1.983006e-001      1.342771e+000                                             -1.939948e-001      1.346108e+000                                             -1.896695e-001      1.349444e+000                                             -1.853252e-001      1.352777e+000                                             -1.809614e-001      1.356109e+000                                             -1.765781e-001      1.359439e+000                                             -1.721754e-001      1.362766e+000                                             -1.677531e-001      1.366091e+000                                             -1.633109e-001      1.369415e+000                                             -1.588492e-001      1.372736e+000                                             -1.543677e-001      1.376054e+000                                             -1.498661e-001      1.379371e+000                                             -1.453446e-001      1.382685e+000                                             -1.408032e-001      1.385997e+000                                             -1.362416e-001      1.389306e+000                                             -1.316596e-001      1.392613e+000                                             -1.270575e-001      1.395917e+000                                             -1.224350e-001      1.399219e+000                                             -1.177920e-001      1.402518e+000                                             -1.131285e-001      1.405814e+000                                             -1.084445e-001      1.409108e+000                                             -1.037397e-001      1.412399e+000                                             -9.901421e-002      1.415687e+000                                             -9.426792e-002      1.418972e+000                                             -8.950055e-002      1.422254e+000                                             -8.471235e-002      1.425533e+000                                             -7.990309e-002      1.428810e+000                                             -7.507250e-002      1.432083e+000                                             -7.022085e-002      1.435353e+000                                             -6.534789e-002      1.438619e+000                                             -6.045336e-002      1.441883e+000                                             -5.553752e-002      1.445143e+000                                             -5.060014e-002      1.448399e+000                                             -4.564094e-002      1.451653e+000                                             -4.066020e-002      1.454902e+000                                             -3.565765e-002      1.458149e+000                                             -3.063305e-002      1.461391e+000                                             -2.558666e-002      1.464630e+000                                             -2.051822e-002      1.467865e+000                                             -1.542766e-002      1.471097e+000                                             -1.031470e-002      1.474324e+000                                             -5.179628e-003      1.477547e+000                                             -2.217694e-005      1.480767e+000                                              5.157912e-003      1.483982e+000                                              1.036037e-002      1.487193e+000                                              1.558545e-002      1.490400e+000                                              2.083343e-002      1.493603e+000                                              2.610402e-002      1.496801e+000                                              3.139749e-002      1.499995e+000                                              3.671410e-002      1.503185e+000                                              4.205358e-002      1.506370e+000                                              4.741620e-002      1.509550e+000                                              5.280222e-002      1.512726e+000                                              5.821135e-002      1.515897e+000                                              6.364386e-002      1.519063e+000                                              6.910004e-002      1.522224e+000                                              7.457959e-002      1.525380e+000                                              8.008279e-002      1.528531e+000                                              8.560989e-002      1.531677e+000                                              9.116063e-002      1.534818e+000                                              9.673527e-002      1.537953e+000                                              1.023339e-001      1.541083e+000                                              1.079568e-001      1.544208e+000                                              1.136036e-001      1.547327e+000                                              1.192747e-001      1.550440e+000                                              1.249703e-001      1.553548e+000                                              1.306901e-001      1.556650e+000                                              1.364345e-001      1.559746e+000                                              1.422036e-001      1.562836e+000                                              1.479972e-001      1.565920e+000                                              1.538156e-001      1.568998e+000                                              1.596590e-001      1.572070e+000                                              1.655271e-001      1.575136e+000                                              1.714203e-001      1.578195e+000                                              1.773387e-001      1.581247e+000                                              1.832822e-001      1.584293e+000                                              1.892510e-001      1.587333e+000                                              1.952453e-001      1.590365e+000                                              2.012649e-001      1.593391e+000                                              2.073100e-001      1.596410e+000                                              2.133809e-001      1.599422e+000                                              2.194774e-001      1.602426e+000                                              2.255996e-001      1.605424e+000                                              2.317477e-001      1.608413e+000                                              2.379220e-001      1.611396e+000                                              2.441222e-001      1.614371e+000                                              2.503486e-001      1.617339e+000                                              2.566013e-001      1.620298e+000                                              2.628802e-001      1.623250e+000                                              2.691855e-001      1.626194e+000                                              2.755175e-001      1.629130e+000                                              2.818758e-001      1.632058e+000                                              2.882609e-001      1.634977e+000                                              2.946729e-001      1.637888e+000                                              3.011115e-001      1.640791e+000                                              3.075771e-001      1.643685e+000                                              3.140698e-001      1.646571e+000                                              3.205895e-001      1.649447e+000                                              3.271363e-001      1.652315e+000                                              3.337106e-001      1.655173e+000                                              3.403121e-001      1.658023e+000                                              3.469410e-001      1.660863e+000                                              3.535976e-001      1.663694e+000                                              3.602817e-001      1.666515e+000                                              3.669933e-001      1.669327e+000                                              3.737331e-001      1.672129e+000                                              3.805004e-001      1.674921e+000                                              3.872957e-001      1.677703e+000                                              3.941190e-001      1.680475e+000                                              4.009706e-001      1.683236e+000                                              4.078503e-001      1.685988e+000                                              4.147581e-001      1.688729e+000                                              4.216946e-001      1.691459e+000                                              4.286593e-001      1.694178e+000                                              4.356525e-001      1.696887e+000                                              4.426745e-001      1.699585e+000                                              4.497250e-001      1.702271e+000                                              4.568043e-001      1.704946e+000                                              4.639126e-001      1.707610e+000                                              4.710496e-001      1.710262e+000                                              4.782156e-001      1.712902e+000                                              4.854110e-001      1.715531e+000                                              4.926352e-001      1.718148e+000                                              4.998888e-001      1.720752e+000                                              5.071718e-001      1.723344e+000                                              5.144840e-001      1.725924e+000                                              5.218257e-001      1.728492e+000                                              5.291972e-001      1.731046e+000                                              5.365980e-001      1.733588e+000                                              5.440285e-001      1.736116e+000                                              5.514888e-001      1.738632e+000                                              5.589792e-001      1.741134e+000                                              5.664993e-001      1.743623e+000                                              5.740494e-001      1.746098e+000                                              5.816298e-001      1.748559e+000                                              5.892400e-001      1.751006e+000                                              5.968804e-001      1.753440e+000                                              6.045514e-001      1.755859e+000                                              6.122525e-001      1.758263e+000                                              6.199840e-001      1.760653e+000                                              6.277462e-001      1.763029e+000                                              6.355388e-001      1.765389e+000                                              6.433620e-001      1.767734e+000                                              6.512161e-001      1.770064e+000                                              6.591006e-001      1.772378e+000                                              6.670160e-001      1.774677e+000                                              6.749624e-001      1.776960e+000                                              6.829396e-001      1.779227e+000                                              6.909478e-001      1.781479e+000                                              6.989872e-001      1.783713e+000                                              7.070576e-001      1.785931e+000                                              7.151592e-001      1.788133e+000                                              7.232920e-001      1.790318e+000                                              7.314563e-001      1.792486e+000                                              7.396517e-001      1.794636e+000                                              7.478784e-001      1.796769e+000                                              7.561370e-001      1.798885e+000                                              7.644268e-001      1.800982e+000                                              7.727481e-001      1.803062e+000                                              7.811013e-001      1.805123e+000                                              7.894859e-001      1.807166e+000                                              7.979023e-001      1.809191e+000                                              8.063506e-001      1.811197e+000                                              8.148305e-001      1.813184e+000                                              8.233423e-001      1.815152e+000                                              8.318862e-001      1.817100e+000                                              8.404614e-001      1.819029e+000                                              8.490692e-001      1.820938e+000                                              8.577090e-001      1.822827e+000                                              8.663803e-001      1.824695e+000                                              8.750843e-001      1.826544e+000                                              8.838204e-001      1.828372e+000                                              8.925881e-001      1.830179e+000                                              9.013885e-001      1.831965e+000                                              9.102212e-001      1.833730e+000                                              9.190854e-001      1.835473e+000                                              9.279826e-001      1.837194e+000                                              9.369121e-001      1.838894e+000                                              9.458733e-001      1.840571e+000                                              9.548675e-001      1.842226e+000                                              9.638941e-001      1.843859e+000                                              9.729524e-001      1.845469e+000                                              9.820437e-001      1.847055e+000                                              9.911675e-001      1.848619e+000                                              1.000323e+000      1.850159e+000                                              1.009512e+000      1.851675e+000                                              1.018733e+000      1.853167e+000                                              1.027986e+000      1.854635e+000                                              1.037272e+000      1.856078e+000                                              1.046590e+000      1.857497e+000                                              1.055941e+000      1.858891e+000                                              1.065324e+000      1.860259e+000                                              1.074740e+000      1.861602e+000                                              1.084188e+000      1.862920e+000                                              1.093669e+000      1.864211e+000                                              1.103182e+000      1.865477e+000                                              1.112727e+000      1.866715e+000                                              1.122305e+000      1.867928e+000                                              1.131916e+000      1.869113e+000                                              1.141558e+000      1.870271e+000                                              1.151234e+000      1.871401e+000                                              1.160941e+000      1.872504e+000                                              1.170681e+000      1.873579e+000                                              1.180454e+000      1.874626e+000                                              1.190258e+000      1.875644e+000                                              1.200095e+000      1.876633e+000                                              1.209964e+000      1.877594e+000                                              1.219865e+000      1.878525e+000                                              1.229798e+000      1.879426e+000                                              1.239764e+000      1.880298e+000                                              1.244758e+000      1.880722e+000                                              1.249761e+000      1.881139e+000                                              1.254772e+000      1.881548e+000                                              1.259790e+000      1.881950e+000                                              1.264817e+000      1.882344e+000                                              1.269852e+000      1.882730e+000                                              1.274894e+000      1.883109e+000                                              1.279945e+000      1.883479e+000                                              1.285004e+000      1.883842e+000                                              1.290070e+000      1.884197e+000                                              1.295144e+000      1.884544e+000                                              1.300227e+000      1.884884e+000                                              1.305317e+000      1.885215e+000                                              1.310415e+000      1.885538e+000                                              1.315522e+000      1.885854e+000                                              1.320636e+000      1.886161e+000                                              1.325758e+000      1.886460e+000.                                            ______________________________________                                    


19. The illumination reflector as recited in claim 18, further beingadapted for use in an illumination system, the illumination systemhaving an illumination source and a mixing rod adapted for receivinglight from the color wheel, the reflecting surface of the illuminationreflector being adapted for maximizing reflections of radiation patternsof the illumination source into the color wheel.
 20. An illuminationsystem comprising an illumination source and an elongate light guideadapted for receiving light from the illumination source, theimprovement comprising an illumination reflector having a reflectingsurface, the reflecting surface comprising a non-circular cross-sectionand being non-elliptical and non-parabolic, and the reflecting surfacebeing adapted for receiving illumination from the illumination sourceand redirecting substantially a maximum amount of the illumination tothe elongate light guide.
 21. The illumination system as recited inclaim 20, the reflecting surface being computer generated.
 22. Anillumination system, comprising:an illumination source having acharacteristic radiation pattern; at least one color wheel adapted forreceiving light from the illumination source; and an illuminationreflector having a reflecting surface that is customized for generatinga predetermined radiation product upon receipt of the characteristicradiation pattern, the illumination reflector comprising a non-circularcross-section and being non-elliptical and non-parabolic, and theillumination reflector being adapted for directing at least a portion ofthe predetermined radiation product to the at least one color wheel. 23.The illumination system as recited in claim 22, the reflecting surfacebeing computer generated.
 24. The illumination system as recited inclaim 22, the illumination reflector being adapted for redirectingsubstantially a maximum amount of the characteristic radiation patternto the at least one color wheel.
 25. The illumination system as recitedin claim 22, further comprising an optical heat-resistant glass adaptedfor receiving light from the at least one color wheel.